Has any CRD WITHOUT an added fuel pump had to have the new fuel filter head primed to remove air?
So far my new filter head has eliminated the loss of prime starting problem.

If the fuel line fittings back at the tank are the sourse of the leak then no a new filter head will not cure that leak

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Atlantic Blue 06 CRD Limited (his)
Joined by a 2000 XJ Classic (hers)

Well, even if the new filter head does solve the air problem without the need for a lift pump, there have been reports of improved fuel economy, less turbo lag, and longer tire life after a lift pump is installed.

I doubt it. The original filter head certainly has issues with leaks around the heater connection, but all of them still develop air pockets. I still have an original filter head, no leaks around the heater, and I still prime that sucker every other fill up or so. I think the main contributor to air is the fact there is no bleed at the high point of the fuel system, and air pulled from the fuel due to the lift pump sucking instead of pushing accumulates there. All the other diesels I've worked on have a fuel return that purges the air to the tank.

There are only two sure ways to eliminate the air issue. Install a lift pump before the filter, or install an air purge in the return line.

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

Guess I should count myself lucky. 80k miles and never a problem w/ air in the lines (stock except for mods below). Only changed the fuel filter once in that time and had to prime it when that was installed but never needed otherwise.

I keep thinking I should install a lift pump but I don't have any air-in-fuel symptoms so maybe I'll just let it be.

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Chris
Current:
2007 Steel Blue Metallic Grand Cherokee CRD Limited
GDE Eco Tune and DPF delete
CB Engineering DPF delete pipe
EHM

Past (sold to Mountainman):
2005 Patriot Blue Liberty CRD Limited

I can't say I really have any problems with it either, I just can't leave it well enough alone.

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'05 Liberty CRD B100, SEGR - SOLD

'01 Beetle TDi B100, EGR delete
'83 Mercedes 240D B100, no EGR

--- SEGR Builder ---

I've never had problems either. I'm going on road trip though so I could see myself stranded.

Two fuel filter changes and still no problems at 73000 miles.

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2005 Black KJ Sport CRD,
GDE Full Torque ECO TUNE, GDE Transmission ECO Tune,
Samco British Racing Green Hoses
Build Date 1/05
200k miles.
Original Owner

About three weeks ago the little tractor started to show issues of the air leak problems (long starts, engine rpm would cycle up down as just started to accelerate. I recognized this right off the bat from past posts. Replace the new and improved fuel filter head and issue is resolved. I couldn't have done this without this great forum.

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2005 CRD Sport 4x4
EHM,ORM,Straight pipe exhaust,Facet 40109 lift pump

where did you get the new design fuel filter head? cost?

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vw
06 CRD

We had an "old style" fuel head fail (i.e. leak) after only 20K after replacement when used only WITH a Cummins lift pump. So, so much for the idea that a lift pump would keep the fuel head from failing by reducing the amount of air in the head. We now have a "new style" head that has not failed, yet.

DOC

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2005 KJ CRD Ltd Detroit TrueTrac Bilsteins G2 GDE "HOT" ECU GDE TCM "Tow Tune" "euro" TC SEGR Weeks Elbow New HG at 130K ARPs Clean CAT aFe Filter Magnaflow Exhaust EHM Cumminos In-Tank Lift Pump Hayden Fan Clutch Nylon Fan VH Enabled with GDE lower shutoff point Recalibrated Temp Gauge Tekonsha Prodigy Sears P-1 ZDDP

The new part # for the fuel separator is 68043089-AA and the wiring kit or pigtail with new plug is 68043086-AA. Both should be no charge. I even got the new fuel filter with this last one, the parts guy said just bring me back the old fuel filter head unit and your good to go. Finally the last change out has not had any problems for over a year now. OH I just saw on my receipt that I had 96,000 on the odometer and they did not even bat an eye about the mileage.

FYI - I've gotten good service from Mopar Parts America
http://www.moparpartsamerica.com/splash/index.cfm?siteid=214583


although - the argument against 'all of them still develop air pockets' is that some don't
there are lots of CRD's running around on original fuel heads - without any failures
I ran 50,000 miles before I put in a lift pump or new fuel head and I never primed the system except for a filter change.
the changes are insurance - not a requirement -

The characteristics from day one have been a manufacturing problem
some of them were good from the factory and some were bad from the factory - and a few were marginal that failed over time.

now it may be that they will all eventually fail - but that's unknown at this point.

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2005 CRD
stuff
Skeptic quod gratis asseritur, gratis negatur

Local dealer and Jeep warranty office both refused replacement under the Powertrain warranty.

Well that suprises me since mine was all burnt up at the fuel heater plug and I don't think jeep wants any jeeps driving around with a fire hazard. I just showed the parts guy the burnt connection and he ordered the parts in for me. I can fax you my receipt as proof. That might help you in your fight.

You must have a generous dealer. Jeep is apparently not too concerned about fires due to the defective part. As a recovering hoarder, I threw the old part out. I did salvage the banjo bolts. Never can tell when they might come in handy.

Dealer service guy laughed when I pushed him about doing the work when I called trying to find a unit .... 'and that's why I don't ever use you guys...you're franchised to a company that doesn't back their product...(click)'

Of course, since I didn't buy my CRD from them I can't get too righteous...

At least we know that the majority of their mgrs aren't cashing in on the bailouts.... (ok, everything is relative...)

'Chrysler and Chrysler Financial were exempted during this round of rulings because total pay for their second-tier executives is already under $500,000.'

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vw
06 CRD

I replaced the leaking filter head last winter with the new OEM and this reduced black smoke on acceleration. However this did not eliminate stalling in coldest weather. I added Howe's anti gel to fuel..no help.
I noticed even in the summer when I sat at a stop in gear for a long time, the check engine light would come on.(Fuel starving I assumed) This fall I added a fuel pump at the tank and so far no problem. The old push connector I cut out of the fuel line could be pushed back and forth when connected. This surely was able to suck air!

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2005 CRD Trail Rated, Silver/ Cloth
Fuel forward pump

But after replacing the filter head did you ever have to purge air from the filter with the primer pump in order to start the engine?

I have only had to purge when changing fuel filter. Jeep starts easily down to +5F without block heater.(Sitting all day at work) However I make a practice of plugging it in at home to cut down on the clatter and wear!

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2005 CRD Trail Rated, Silver/ Cloth
Fuel forward pump

Hello,

I have owned a 2006 CRD since April, now with 63K miles. I am not sure that I ever experience any of the air leak symptoms. Well one time I lost power, the engine wouldn't rev and I could barely reach 10 mph. I pulled over, turned the engine off, restarted it, and it ran just fine after that.

I do want to replace the filter soon. How hard is the lift pump installation to do? Any good writeups on how to do the mod?

Thank you.